New blood swells apprentice ranks

One hundred eager new apprentices kicked off careers with QBuild today as they began trades across Queensland in everything from carpentry to electrical mechanics to glazing.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten congratulated the new apprentices and trainees on being selected from over 3,200 applicants.

“While Australia, along with the rest of the world, faces difficult economic times ahead, the building and construction industry will always play a vital role in providing both future growth and jobs in Queensland,” Mr Schwarten said.

“QBuild continues to be one of the largest employers of construction and engineering industry apprentices in the state, and manages a substantial and successful apprenticeship program.”

Mr Schwarten said since he has been Public Works Minister 1,239 new apprentice positions have been created in Queensland.

“It is the people behind these job statistics that the State Government is concerned with,” Mr Schwarten said.

“People like Thomas Hughes from this year’s intake for example.

“Thomas, 31, lives at Woodridge, has five kids and wanted a job that was going to take him somewhere in life.

“The QBuild horticultural traineeship he successfully applied for will now give him that opportunity.”

At an induction ceremony held today at Parliament House in Brisbane, 50 apprentices and trainees from Queensland’s south-east corner were welcomed to the QBuild team.

They will work in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the South Coast regions.

An additional 50 apprentices and trainees will work across the Burdekin, Cape York, Capricornia, Darling Downs, Far West, Whitsunday and Wide Bay-Burnett regions.

“Seven in 10 of these apprenticeship positions have been filled in regional Queensland,” Mr Schwarten said.

“The QBuild apprentice program represents a large investment in our state's regional skills base by providing opportunities for young Queenslanders in areas that have limited local employment prospects.

“Looking even more to the future, 15 new school-based apprentices located around Queensland have also been included in this year’s intake.”

All of the apprentices and trainees will have the chance to work on many different sites such as schools, police stations, prisons and residences.

Media contact: Minister’s Office: 3237 1832 or 0437 831 874